The Cape Town Stadium is still not ready to host Premiership football and fans will have to make their way to Newlands Rugby Stadium to take in the match against Kaizer Chiefs.

The Premiership match between Cape Town City and Kaizer Chiefs on 27 August has been moved to Newlands rugby stadium, after the Cape Town Stadium failed a pitch inspection.

The match was expected to be something of a blockbuster with Chiefs always drawing a crowd no matter where they turn out. After a long winter the City of Cape Town has been unable to restore the pitch to FIFA standards, putting out the City’s only PSL club.

Cape Town stadium pitch fails another inspection

Cape Town Stadium chief executive Lesley de Reuck apologised to all concerned for the pitch not being ready to host the match.

“We are immensely disappointed with this situation as we have worked tirelessly to ensure the pitch is up to standard,” said De Reuck.

“Unfortunately, the improved weather conditions has come in too late to have the desired impact that was needed.

“We are most distraught for the fans of both teams who had expected to watch this top flight match played at the Cape Town Stadium.

“We sincerely apologise to everybody that this has affected. Rest assured that we will continue in our efforts to have the pitch brought up to Fifa standards.”

Cape Town City Chairman John Comitis fumed when City’s Premiership match against Stellenbosch FC had to be moved to Athlone stadium, claiming the City of Cape Town takes his team for granted.

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The stadium administrators have blamed the condition of the stadium’s turf on an especially cold and wet winter in the Mother City.

The Comitis rant

“To me it’s all a lot of nonsense. They know for the last four years the league starts in the first week of August.

“There is no excuse. It’s absolutely diabolical how they treat us. If this was any other sport, if it was rugby, if it was the monster thing, everything would have been ready. They would have done whatever they had to do, and likewise they should have done whatever they needed to do.

“But they take us for granted, they think it doesn’t matter football can just move to Athlone, they have no understanding, zero, zip. They don’t understand the damage that is done to our brand. We are spending millions in building this brand, only for them in one clean sweep to disappoint everyone, make everything look like it doesn’t matter.

“How can you say that to my fans? I’ve got 10 000 fans coming to this Stadium, I’m going to have 2 000 at the other one. Have a look at the tweets. Nobody wants to go to Athlone. People don’t want to come anymore, it’s a disaster. It’s not a joke, it’s a disaster this, and it’s enough man, it’s enough. This Cape Town is enough.

“I’m not surprised Chippa left the city. I’m not surprised, especially with the kind of funding that they receive from the other city (Port Elizabeth). I’m not surprised.

“I’m going to have to review the future of this club in this city. Can’t continue like this. I have asked them to let me build my own stadium, I’m prepared to put my own money, I don’t need any help from anybody. And I’m sitting in this situation. It’s a disgrace. It’s an absolute disgrace. The more things change in this country it’s the more nothing changes when it comes to football, especially in this province.

“They (the municipality) have handed the stadium to a company to run under management, but at the end of the day who is responsible for appointing them? You can’t tell the sevens rugby five days before the event, ‘Sorry can you move your game to Athlone’… they will sue the city for millions.

“They have no understanding and they don’t want to understand what it means to be a football fan in this country, what is the implication. It’s not just about a R40 or R60 ticket. It’s the transport, it’s the time, it’s getting off work… so many things have to happen for you to attend the game. It’s a big, big challenge and to have the fans is a privilege.”

Cape Town City’s match against Kaizer Chiefs kicks off at 19:30 on Tuesday 27 August at Newlands Rugby Stadium in Cape Town.